Researching geography and pilgrimage in Ireland

Geography

Geography is a way of seeing the world. It is fundamentally about the connections that exist between people, places, and the environment, and the ways in which these factors influence each other.

Geography is much more than national capitals and names of mountain ranges. Instead real geography, asks why is the capital where it is?, why are some national capitals not as well known (eg. Brazilia or Canberra) ?, why are the Wicklow Mountains as high as they are?, why is there a certain style of house associated with the Alpes?

Geography is all about the world around us – how it came to be, what is shaping it, what will happen – and how it affects us – our lifestyles, our quality of life, our opportunities and restrictions. Also, geography is unique in bridging the social sciences (human geography) with the natural sciences (physical geography). While human geography looks at the cultures, societies and economies; physical geography considers physical landscapes and the environment.

At a time when we are more aware than ever of the increasing interconnected and interdependent nature of the modern world, geography is unique placed to help us understand what is going on and make effective and practical changes.